Hypnotbirthing - I'm interested but in no way have £200+ to pay for classes...

[hopefully]

Is it worth just buying a book/CD and attempting to teach myself some of the ideas? Or is it only really worth it if I can scrape together the money for classes?

And if it's worth buying a book/CD, has anyone got any recommendations?

I'd highly recommend natal hypnotherapy cd - I bought it online for about £15. It's obviously difficult to attribute any aspect of my experiences to the cd but I've had two home births - one with tens and gas and air and the other with no pain relief. The breathing and visualisation techniques were my main form of coping and worked a treat - and it made me feel very relaxed and positive prior to the births.

I recommend the "Hypnobirthing: the Mongan Method" by Marie Mongan. The book has scripts to practice and it is very easy to read.

Second the Natal Hypnotherapy CDs. Whole course (relaxation, prep for birth, birth music, post-birth) bout £60 but you only really need the preparation for birth one, £16. Listen 20+ times from week 32. Highly recommended as per Marjean.

Have a look at what people are offering.

Here in the Midlands, for example, Hypnurture are offering various formats which can be linked in with other classes you are doing.

I see they are also offering CDs for sale and they have some free downloads too.

I paid £50 to see a hypnotherapist, she did the session and recorded it. It didn't work, unfortunately, as when I did it at home and was most relaxed she told me not to eat chips!

She replaced the cd the next day, apologised for the mix up but after that I laughed every time I listened so not much good.

I have heard good things about the Natal hypnotherapy cds though.

Another vote for natal hypnothereapy CDs
Didn't actually have a hypnobirth but the relaxation techniques were great, also VERY useful when your pregnant batteries aren't duracell, a half hour with the CD and I feel better than if I'd had a 2hr nap!
Pick up from ebay

the natal CD is what i'm using.

Fantastic, thanks for the thoughts. Was worried everyone would say it totally wasn't worth it if I wasn't prepared to stump up for a course!

Will look on Ebay for natal hypnotherapy and mongan method.

would agree with yorky that good for pre term naps.. whether it makes it better/worse in labour I'm not sure.. I did use it during laour and got a reasonable way with just a tens ... what I would say is it didnt take away anything completely.. I am not sure if the course was worth it as think cold ahve got same effect from cd/book

www.natalhypnotherapy.com I should be on comission!!! I've lent to my friends aswell.

So far...

6 hours, no pain, no pain relief.
5 hours, pain but no pain relief.
12 hours, homebirth, pethidine but very calm.
3 hours, no pain, no pain relief.

That's not a bad tally really is it. Different births and different experiences but all ending quite sucessfully.

A tens might interfere with hypnobirthing I believe.

It might be worth getting in touch with a hypnobirthing teacher and explaining that the finances are an issue. We looked into classes and decided they were too expensive. When I explained to the teacher why we had decided against it, she gave us a half price place.